Automated transaction machine with note storage reel

ABSTRACT

An automated transaction machine ( 10 ) includes a note receiving and dispensing mechanism ( 77 ). The mechanism includes a storage reel ( 66 ), a take-up reel ( 68 ) and a flexible web ( 70 ) extending between the reels. A drag applying member ( 196; 208 ) may be used in operative connection with at least one of the reels. The note receiving and dispensing mechanism is housed within a note storage module ( 44 ). Notes are selectively passed into and out of the storage module to a passage area ( 92 ). The machine further includes a note inlet opening ( 30 ) and a note outlet opening ( 28 ). A note outlet transport ( 96 ) extends between the passage area and the note outlet opening. A note inlet transport ( 98 ) extends between the passage area and the note inlet opening. A note validator ( 58 ) extends adjacent to the note inlet transport for purposes of sensing the validity of notes inserted in the machine. The machine is selectively operative responsive to inputs to receive and deliver notes. The machine is further operative to enable replenishment of notes therein without accessing the interior of the housing.

This application claims benefit of provisional application Ser. No.60/109,590 Nov. 23, 1998.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to automated transaction machines. Specificallythis invention relates to an automated transaction machine thatdispenses notes to users and which has an internal note storage areawhich may be replenished without accessing the interior of the machine.

BACKGROUND ART

Automated transaction machines are known in the prior art. A common typeof automated transaction machine is an automated teller machine (ATM).ATMs have been developed which are capable of performing a variety oftransactions including the dispensing of currency notes. Other types oftransaction machines dispense notes and other types of sheets to userssuch as bank tellers, cashiers and other service providers. Other typesof automated transaction machines dispense items such as tickets,travelers checks, scrip, vouchers or gaming materials. Automatedtransaction machines generally dispense such materials while assessingappropriate charges and credits to the respective accounts of the user,the machine owner and the provider of the dispensed materials. Forpurposes of this description an automated transaction machine will beconsidered as any machine that is capable of carrying out transactionsincluding transfers of value.

Automated transaction machines that dispense notes or other types ofsheets representative of value are generally constructed to preventaccess to the supply of sheets within the machine by unauthorizedpersons. In most cases such automated transaction machines include asecure chest or other secure enclosure. Access to the enclosure iscontrolled by a lock or other security device so that the interiorthereof may only be accessed by appropriate personnel. The interior ofthe secure enclosure generally includes storage areas for currency notesand other types of sheets which are valuable. The storage areas areoften inside removable canisters or other types of enclosures that maybe readily installed in and removed from the machine when the securearea is accessed. Sheets are dispensed by the machine to users from thesheet storage areas. When the storage areas require replenishment aservice person opens the secure chest and replenishes the supplies. Insome cases this is done by removing the depleted or partially depletedcanisters and replacing those canisters with filled canisters. In othersituations it may involve inserting a “brick” of currency or sheets intothe canisters or other sheet storage areas to replenish the sheetsupplies.

A drawback associated with the construction of such conventionalautomated transaction machines is that replenishing the sheet suppliesrequires opening the secure area of the machine. This provides theservice person with access to all the valuable sheets as well as thesensitive electronic equipment within the machine. This presentsopportunities for theft and tampering. When canisters are changedseveral individuals may have access to the canister during the timeswhen it is being loaded, transported and installed in the machine.Likewise partially depleted canisters returning from machines forreplenishment may pass through several hands. This may presentopportunities for pilferage for which responsibility cannot be readilydocumented. Tamper resistant and tamper indicating sheet holdingcanisters have been developed. However such containers are not failsafeand may still be subject to compromise by skilled thieves. Sheet holdingcanisters may also be stolen in their entirety when in transit to andfrom machines. The use of currency canisters is also expensive. The useof such canisters adds to the cost of the automated transaction machinesby requiring the inclusion of mechanisms that can open, close and workin conjunction with sheet containing canisters. The handling andtransport of canisters also adds to the cost of machine operation.

Lower cost automated transaction machines are often installed in gasstations, convenience stores and other merchandising facilities. Suchautomated transaction machines often carry out only cash dispensingtransactions. While the reduced capabilities of such machines results ina lower machine acquisition cost, the problems of handling sheets stillexists. Because the security in such merchandising facilities is oftennot as high as that found in banking environments, it is not uncommon touse armored car type courier services to carry out cash replenishmenttransactions in such machines. This adds to the cost of machineoperation.

Operators of automated transaction machines in merchandising facilitieswould desire to replenish the note supplies in such machines with cashthat is available within the establishment. Doing this can avoid thecost of having to pay a third party to carry out cash replenishment,which reduces operating costs. However in many merchandise transactionenvironments the trustworthiness of the personnel may not be verifiable.As a result the machine operator may not want to give their personnelaccess to the large amounts of cash which are available within theinterior of an automated transaction machine. Replenishing the currencysupplies within such machines may be an activity limited to supervisorylevel personnel. However, despite such precautions shortages anddiscrepancies can occur. This is particularly true when severalindividuals have the capability of accessing the interior of a machine.

Recently automated transaction machines have been developed that arecapable of “recycling” currency. Such machines are capable of acceptingcurrency notes from a user or operator, and determining the genuinenessand particular type of each note. Such machines selectively store thedeposited notes in locations within the machine. At a later time whenthe same or another user requests a dispense of notes, the machinedispenses the previously deposited notes to the user. While suchmachines have the capability of having the note supplies replenishedwithout accessing the interior of the machine, such machines aregenerally complex and expensive. The installation of such a machinewould generally not be cost justified in situations where relatively lowcost, cash dispense only type machines are currently used.

There are also many other types of self service and vending machinesthat users operate which could be improved by adding the capability tosuch machines of accepting and dispensing currency notes. Commonexamples of such machines include motor fuel dispensing pumps, vendingmachines, automated ticketing machines and automated gaming machines.Often such machines already have a user interface that is capable ofreading a user's credit card. Such machines also have the capability ofassessing a charge to a user's account in exchange for merchandise orservices provided. Increasingly self service machines are being providedwith the capability of accepting a user's smart card. Smart cardsinclude a memory thereon which has data representative of monetaryvalue. Instead of assessing a charge to a user's account, such machinesalso have the capability of deducting the monetary value from the valuerepresented by data in the memory of the user's smart card.

Cash receiving and dispensing capability has generally not been providedin most self service and vending machines for several reasons. First,cash dispensing and accepting mechanisms have in the past generally beenexpensive and would render such machines cost prohibitive to acquire andoperate. Second, such machines generally do not include the securityfeatures included in automated teller machines or cash dispensers,because the items generally dispensed by such machines are not readilydisposed of for cash value. Another reason such machines have not beenprovided with cash accepting and/or dispensing capability is that to doso would require the machine operators to incur the additional costsassociated with cash handling previously discussed, that are oftenencountered in the use of operating ATMs and cash dispensers. A furtherdrawback has been that making cash acceptance and dispensing an integralpart of such machines may limit their operation to selected hours andlocations where greater security may be maintained. Thus, while usersmay benefit from having machines such as motor fuel dispensing pumps andvending machines accept and receive cash, providing such machines withthese capabilities has been cost prohibitive.

Thus there exists a need for an automated transaction machine that isinexpensive to produce and operate, but that is also highly reliable.There further exists a need for an automated transaction machine that iscapable of being replenished with currency notes or other sheets ofvalue without having to access the note storage areas in the interior ofthe machine. There further exists a need for an automated transactionmachine which includes a note receiving and dispensing component thatadds only limited cost to the production and operation of the machine.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatedtransaction machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatedtransaction machine which is capable of dispensing sheets having value,such as currency notes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatedtransaction machine which dispenses currency notes from a note storagearea within the machine and which is capable of having the note storagearea replenished without accessing an interior of the machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatedtransaction machine which includes a note supply that can be replenishedwithout accessing an interior area of the machine and which isconfigurable to be replenished from either the front or the rear side ofthe machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatedtransaction machine that is economical to produce and to operate.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatedtransaction machine that is capable of receiving, validating anddispensing sheets such as currency notes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatedtransaction machine which provides for the receiving and dispensing ofcurrency notes as a supplementary function to a primary vending or selfservice function that is carried out by the machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatedtransaction machine which is capable of dispensing notes from a notestorage area within the machine and which is capable of having a notesupply readily removed from the machine by authorized personnel.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatedtransaction machine that is easy for users to operate and which providestimely promotional and other messages to users of the machine.

Further objects of the present invention will be made apparent in thefollowing Best Modes For Carrying Out Invention and the appended claims.

The foregoing objects are accomplished in an exemplary embodiment by anautomated transaction machine. The automated transaction machine may bea machine whose primary function is the receipt and/or dispensing ofsheets such as currency notes. Alternatively the automated transactionmachine may be associated with a primary function such as the vending ofmotor fuel, lottery tickets, transit tokens or other transactions andmay include the dispensing and/or receipt of sheets having value, suchas currency.

The automated transaction machine in one exemplary embodiment includes amachine housing. The housing includes a user interface area including atleast one input device through which the machine may receive at leastone input from a user of the machine. A sheet inlet opening extendsthrough the housing as does a sheet outlet opening.

Within the housing of the machine is a note receiving and dispensingmechanism. The note receiving and dispensing mechanism is operativelyconnected to a sheet storage area which in the described embodiment isused for holding currency notes. The sheet receiving and dispensingmechanism includes a passage area through which sheets are passed whenthey are being received by the mechanism for storage in the storagearea. Sheets also pass through the passage area when they are beingdispensed by the mechanism from the storage area.

The described embodiment further includes a note inlet transport whichextends between the note inlet opening and the passage. A note validatoris positioned adjacent the note inlet transport. The note validator isoperative to sense notes which are inserted through the inlet openingfor purposes of determining whether the notes are valid. The machinefurther includes a note outlet transport. The note outlet transportextends between the passage and the outlet opening through the housing.The machine further includes one or more drive mechanisms that areoperatively connected to the inlet and outlet transports and whichenable the selective movement of notes or other sheets therein.

The automated transaction machine of the described embodiment furtherincludes a controller. The controller is in operative connection withthe validator and the drive for the inlet and outlet transports. Thecontroller is also in operative connection with the input devices aswell as the validator. The controller is operative to control themachine such that in response to at least one input to the input device,notes or other sheets stored in the storage area are dispensed by themechanism and moved through the outlet transport to the outlet opening.The controller is further operative responsive to insertion of a note orother sheet to the inlet opening to have the validator determine if theinserted note is valid. If so, the note is accepted by the receiving anddispensing mechanism and stored in the storage area.

Configurations of the automated transaction machine of the presentinvention may provide for both receiving notes from and dispensing notesto customers while charging and crediting appropriate accounts.Alternatively embodiments of the invention may be configured for onlydispensing notes to customers who operate the machine. In suchembodiments acceptance of notes is limited to personnel who areauthorized to replenish the machine on behalf of the machine owner oroperator. Alternative configurations of the machine may provide for thenote inlet and outlet openings to be positioned on generally one side ofthe machine, while alternative forms of the invention may provide forsuch openings to be on generally opposed sides of the machine. Someforms of the invention may provide for accepting sheets into the noteinlet opening one sheet at a time while others may be configured foraccepting stacks of sheets which are then separated, authenticated andstored within the machine.

In some exemplary forms of the invention the note receiving anddispensing mechanism may include a roll storage type mechanism. The rollstorage mechanism includes a flexible web that extends between a storagereel and a take-up reel. The storage reel and take-up reel are moved bya reel drive mechanism that enables selectively moving the reels todeliver sheets to and to receive sheets from the passage area. Thestorage and take-up reels in some embodiments are contained within anote storage module that is readily installed in and removed from themachine housing by authorized personnel. Certain preferred forms of theinvention are highly reliable and yet relatively lower in cost toproduce and operate.

Other preferred forms of the invention include a user interface with adisplay. The display is used for presenting promotional or othermessages to users of the machine. These messages may be time sensitiveand/or limited duration. In preferred forms of the invention suchmessages are provided by interaction of the controller with areplaceable plug-in memory of a smart card or similar device. Variousforms of user interfaces may also be provided to simplify and facilitateoperation of automated transaction machines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one exemplary embodiment of an automatedtransaction machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the machine shown in FIG. 1 with an accessdoor in an open position.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a controller of the automatedtransaction machine and transaction function devices and other devicesin operative connection therewith.

FIG. 4 is a transparent side view of the mechanisms for handling sheetssuch as currency notes in the automated transaction machine shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the components included in the sheetpaths of the automated transaction machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a reel drive mechanism operating to movethe storage and take-up reels in a sheet dispensing direction.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the first and second drive members of thereel drive mechanism, along with the transmission member whichinterconnects the drive members.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 7 with the reel drivemechanism operating to move the storage and take-up reels in a sheetreceiving direction.

FIG. 9 is a simplified side view of the sheet handling components in thepassage area of the machine.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the passage area including the first andsecond sheet separating members for separating sheets from the sheetsupporting web.

FIG. 11 is a side schematic view of the gate member which serves todirect sheets between the inlet and outlet transports in the passagearea.

FIG. 12 is a side schematic view of the secondary separating member andits suspension on the note storage module.

FIG. 13 is a side schematic view of the directional drag applyingmembers used in connection with the storage and take-up reels.

FIG. 14 shows a tab portion on the note storage module engaged with acylindrical support member.

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the cylindrical support member shown inFIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is an isometric view of a flexible note supporting web withmachine readable indicia thereon, the web being shown in supportingconnection with currency notes.

FIG. 17 is a side schematic view indicating movement of parts of sheethandling mechanisms when dispensing sheets.

FIG. 18 is a side schematic view showing movement of sheet handlingmechanisms when the note validator is operating to determine if aninserted note is valid.

FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing a note that has passed from the notevalidator to the passage area.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view indicating operation of sheet handlingmechanisms in moving a note through the passage area and into supportingconnection with the web and sheet storage reel.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of an automatedtransaction machine which includes a common note inlet and outlettransport in connection with a note validator.

FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a further alternative embodiment whichhas a note inlet opening on an opposed side of the machine from the noteoutlet opening.

FIG. 23 is a schematic view of an automated transaction machine which iscapable of receiving and separating a stack of notes.

FIG. 24 is a schematic view of a mechanism used for separating notesindividually from the stack in the embodiment shown in FIG. 23.

FIGS. 25-30 are schematic views of a user interface and the operationthereof which may be used in connection with embodiments of theinvention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1 as shown thereinan automated transaction machine of a first exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention generally indicated 10. Machine 10 is an automatedteller machine whose primary functions are to dispense and receivecurrency notes. It should be understood however that other embodimentsof the invention may be machines whose primary functions includeconducting other types of transactions. These may include for examplethe dispense of motor fuel, the dispense of tickets, the dispense ofvouchers, the dispense of gaming materials or other functions that auser may carry out using the machine.

Machine 10 includes a housing 12. As used herein housing 12 refers tothe external enclosure of the machine as well as the internal structureswhich support components of the machine therein. A user interfacegenerally indicated 14 is supported on the housing and is accessible bya user. In the embodiment shown the user interface includes inputdevices and output devices. One of the input devices is a card reader16. Card reader 16 in the machine shown is a swipe type card readerwhich is operative to read magnetic stripe cards 18 which are passedthrough the reader by customers. Cards 18 may be various types of cardssuch as credit or debit cards which include information for identifyingthe user and/or their accounts.

User interface 14 of the described embodiment also includes other inputdevices. These include a keypad 20 and function keys 22. Users areenabled to input data and instructions to the machine by selectivelypressing the keys which make up the keypad as well as the function keys22.

The user interface 14 further includes an output device which includes adisplay 24. Display 24 of the described embodiment may be a CRT or LCDtype display that is operative to display messages to a user, includingmessages which instruct the user in operation of the machine.

It should be understood that the input devices and output device shownare exemplary and that other embodiments of the invention may employother types of input and output devices. These include for example othertypes of card readers for reading magnetic stripe or other types ofcards. These may include for example motorized readers or dip readers.Other types of cards may also be employed with the machine. Such cardsinclude so called “smart cards” which include a programmable memory withdata thereon. Such data may include information about the user and theiraccounts. It may also include information representative of monetaryvalue. Such value may be deducted from the memory as the card is used tomake purchases. Some cards may have the value thereon periodicallyreplenished. Other types of input devices may be used which readarticles such as articles encoded with optical indicia which can be usedto identify the user of their accounts. Other types of input devices mayinclude biometric type reading devices such as fingerprint readers,retina scan devices, iris scan devices, speech recognition devices orother types of input devices which are capable of providing an inputwhich can identify a particular user and/or their accounts.

The keypad and function keys which serve as input devices in thedescribed exemplary embodiment may be replaced in other embodiments byother types of devices which are capable of selectively receiving dataor instructions from a user. Other types of output devices may also beused. These may include other types of visual and nonvisual outputdevices which are capable of communicating a message to a user and whichcan instruct the user in the operation of the machine. Of course whenautomated transaction machines of the invention are incorporated withother devices which carry out other functions, other types of inputdevices associated with carrying out those other functions may also beincluded. These may include for example switching and control devicesfor controlling the dispense of motor fuel when the machine of theinvention is incorporated with a motor fuel dispensing device. Theparticular additional devices will depend on the environment in whichthe invention is used.

Returning to the description of the machine 10 shown in FIG. 1, thehousing includes therethrough a receipt opening 26. The receipt openingis used to provide the user with printed receipts for the transactionsconducted at the machine. The housing further includes a note outletopening 28. The note outlet opening 28 is used to deliver notesdispensed from the machine to a user. It should be understood that thenote outlet opening may also be referred to herein as a sheet outletopening, and that in embodiments of the invention sheets other thannotes may be received and dispensed from the machine.

The machine 10 further includes a note inlet opening 30. Note inlet 30is used for inserting notes or other types of sheets into the machinefor storage. As indicated in phantom, in some embodiments the note inletopening 30 may be rendered inaccessible by a movable cover 32. The cover32 is selectively secured by a suitable locking mechanism 34. The covermay be used in circumstances where the machine operator only wantsselected authorized personnel to be able to insert notes for storage inthe machine. This may be the case when the machine operator wants usersto use the machine only as a cash dispenser. In some embodiments thecover may provide a note supporting surface or include a note holdingstructure such as a pocket to facilitate holding dispensed notes for theuser of the machine when the cover is in position.

As shown in FIG. 1 the housing of the machine further includes aconnector 36. The connector 36 is operative to releasibly receive a plugin memory element 38. The plug in memory element in the embodiment shownis used for holding messages that are to be provided to users of themachine through the display 24. As later discussed, the plug in memory38 may hold promotional messages which are displayed to users of themachine on a timely basis. Such promotional messages may include forexample discounts on certain merchandise or special offers which expireon a certain date. In one preferred embodiment the plug in memory 38 maybe supported on a smart card. The memory may include one or morepromotional items which are promoted only during certain times of day,on certain days of the week or during particular time periods. The useof this feature is later discussed in detail.

FIG. 2 shows the rear of the machine 10. The housing 12 of the machineincludes an access door 40 which is shown in the open position in FIG.2. The access door 40 includes a locking mechanism 42. The lockingmechanism 42 is normally used to secure the access door 40 in the closedposition. The locking mechanism 42 may be opened by authorized personnelto enable them to access an interior area of the machine.

The interior area of the machine includes various components which areshown schematically. Such components may include for example a notestorage module 44. As later described in detail the note storage module44 includes a note storage area for holding notes within the machine.The note storage module 44 is readily removable and installed in themachine once the access door 40 is in the open position. Othercomponents within the housing of the machine may include a journaldevice 46. The journal device 46 may be for example a journal printerwhich makes a permanent hard copy record of transactions which arecarried out by the machine. Other devices within the interior of themachine may include a communications device 48. The communicationsdevice may be for example a modem, wireless transmitter, lease lineinterface connection or other suitable device for communicating withother computers to carry out transactions with the machine. These othercomputers may include for example computers in credit and/or debit cardnetworks which are capable of handling transaction messages and settlingaccounts between users, sources of monetary value and the operator ofthe machine. Another device shown schematically in the interior of themachine in FIG. 2 is a receipt printer 50. The receipt printer 50 isoperative to produce printed receipts that are dispensed to customersthrough receipt opening 26.

FIG. 3 shows schematically the electrically controlled devices which areincluded in the described embodiment of the machine 10. A controller 52serves as a control device for controlling the electrical devices withinthe machine. The controller 52 includes an internal clock deviceschematically indicated 54. The controller is in operative communicationwith a memory 56 which is also referred to herein as a data store. Thecontroller 52 may in various embodiments include one or more processorsor operatively connected computers which serve as an electrical signalsource for devices which are in operative connection with thecontroller.

As shown in FIG. 3 the controller is operative to communicate with thetransaction function devices previously described. These include thecard reader 16, the keypad and function keys 20 and 22 and the display24. The controller is also operative to communicate and controloperation of the receipt printer 30 and the journal device 46, which inthis case is a journal printer. The controller is also in operativecommunication with the plug in memory 38 and the communication device 48which is used to communicate with other devices. In the describedembodiment the controller 52 is also operative to communicate with otherdevices. These include for example a note validator 58 which will laterbe discussed in detail. The note validator is operative to sense notesto determine their validity and to distinguish between valid and invalidnotes inserted into the machine. The controller 52 is also operativelyconnected to a module drive 60 and a transport drive 62 which arecontrol circuits for controlling motors which operate to move noteswithin the machine. These are later discussed in detail. It should beunderstood that these transaction function devices are exemplary andthat other embodiments of the invention may include different and/oradditional types of transaction function devices.

FIG. 4 is a view of the sheet handling mechanism that is used forstoring and dispensing notes within the machine. The sheet handlingmechanism generally indicated 64, includes the note storage module 44previously discussed which is removably mounted on the housing of themachine. The note storage module includes a storage reel 66 which isrotatably mounted in supporting connection with the housing of themachine in the storage module. A take-up reel 68 which in the preferredembodiment is identical to the storage reel, is also rotatably mountedin the machine. A flexible web 70 extends between the storage reel andthe take-up reel.

The note storage module of the described embodiment includes thereon areel drive mechanism 72. The reel drive mechanism is operative in amanner later discussed to selectively drive the storage reel 66 or thetake-up reel 68.

The note storage module 44 also includes therein an actuator 74. Theactuator is in operative connection with a movable locking member 76.The locking member 76 is movable by the actuator 74 between a positionin which rotational movement of the storage reel is enabled and aposition in which the locking member holds the rotatable storage reel inrelatively fixed position with respect to the note storage module. 44.This is accomplished in the locking position of the locking member byengaging cooperating projections and recesses schematically indicated 78on the locking member and the storage reel.

The actuator 74 is electrically connected with the controller 52 througha releasible connector 80. The controller 52 serves as an electricalsignal source which operates the actuator generally to enable thestorage reel 66 to move when it is properly positioned within themachine. When the note storage module is positioned in the machine andthe releasible connector 80 connects the actuator 74 to the electricalsignal source, the projections and recesses of the locking member andreel are disengaged enabling the reel to move. This feature aids insecuring the note storage reel which serves as a note storage area, infixed position relative to the module when the note storage is removedfrom the machine. This makes it more difficult for unauthorized personsto extract the note from the note storage module after it has beenremoved from the machine.

The note storage module 44 is supported in the machine by tab portions82. Tab portions 82 include semicircular openings or slots 84 (see FIG.14). Axially elongated cylindrical support members 86 are accepted intothe openings 84 when the note storage module 44 is in the operativeposition within the machine.

The openings 84 in the tab portions 82 extend in generally planarmembers and are bounded by a surface 88 which serves as an arcuatelyshaped generally u-shaped projection. The u-shaped projecting surface 88is positioned to extend in generally annular recesses or slots 90 whichextend about the cylindrical support members 86. The interfittingengagement of the u-shaped projections and the annular recesses enablespositioning the note storage module 44 in the proper position within thehousing of the machine. It further enables engaging and disengaging thetab portions and the cylindrical support members from the engaged anddisengaged positions by moving the note storage module along thedirection of arrow I shown in FIG. 14.

In the described form of the invention the cylindrical support members86 also serve as supporting members for the construction of thestructure surrounding the note storage module within the machine.Members 86 include threaded openings in each end to facilitate theirengagement to other components. The positioning of the annular recesses90 in the cylindrical support members are also asymmetrical tofacilitate the proper positioning of the note storage module. Duringassembly of the machine the proper positioning of the cylindricalsupport members is assured by having the threaded openings in each endof the support members of a different size and/or thread configuration.This construction along with the mating fasteners which are used to holdthe machine components together assure that the cylindrical supportmembers are installed properly during assembly. Of course theconstruction of the supporting structure and removable note storagemodule is exemplary and in other embodiments other suitable structuresand assembly methods may be used. This includes using a configurationfor positioning the storage module which is generally the reverse ofthat shown in FIG. 14 as well as other arrangements of interengagingprojections and slots.

The note handling mechanism shown in FIG. 4 further includes a passagearea 92. The passage area 92 extends through an opening 94 in the frontwall of the note storage module (see FIG. 10). Notes passing between thenote receiving and dispensing mechanism of the note storage module passthrough the passage area 92.

As shown in FIG. 4 a note outlet transport 96 extends between thepassage area and the note outlet opening 28. Note outlet transport 96 isoperative to move notes in connection therewith. A note inlet transport98 is operative to move notes between the note inlet opening 30 and thepassage area 92. Note inlet transport 98 includes a portion whichextends through the note validator 58. As previously discussed the notevalidator is operative to sense notes which pass through the note inlettransport. The note validator is operative to sense notes which move inthe note inlet transport. The note validator is operative to determineif the sensed notes are valid for purposes of acceptance in the machineand to discriminate between valid and invalid notes.

A transport drive 100 is operatively connected to the inlet and outlettransports 96 and 98 respectively. The note inlet and outlet transportsare shown in further detail in FIG. 5. The note outlet transport 96includes a belt 102 and a plurality of note engaging idler rolls 104.The belt and idler rolls engage notes therebetween such that the notesmove with movement of the belt between the passage area and the noteoutlet opening 28. It should be understood that while a belt and rolltransport is used for the note outlet transport in the describedembodiment, in other embodiments other configurations of cooperatingbelts, rollers or other moving members suitable for engaging and movingnotes may be used.

The note inlet transport in the described embodiment includes notevalidator 58. In the described embodiment note validator 58 is astandard commercially available note acceptor which is operative tosense and determine the validity of certain types of bills. In the caseof a machine which is configured to receive and dispense twenty dollarbills, the validator may be a device for sensing whether an insertednote is a valid twenty dollar bill. The validator 58 includes therein orhas adjacent thereto a generally nonslip portion 106 of the note inlettransport 98. Portion 106 is operative to engage and move notes insertedthrough the note inlet opening 30 post the validator. The generallynonslip portion 106 is operative to move notes past the sensingmechanisms within the validator 58 as required for sensing the note anddetermining its validity for purposes of receipt within the machine. Ifan inserted note is determined not to be valid or otherwise not suitablefor acceptance within the machine, the nonslip portion 106 after movingthe note inward into the validator is operative to move it outward backthrough the note inlet opening 30. This is done by the validatoroperating based on its internal programming or in alternativeembodiments operating in cooperating relation with the controller 52.

If a note inserted through the note inlet opening 30 is sensed as validand acceptable by the validator 58, the nonslip portion 106 of noteinlet transport 98 is operative to release the note to a limited slipportion 108 of the note transport 98. Limited slip portion 108 includesa belt 110 and idler rolls 112. The belt 110 and idler rolls 112 serveas limited slip engaging members which engage notes passing inward fromthe validator 58. However, the limited slip portion 108 is not operativeto apply sufficient force to a note to remove it from engagement withthe nonslip portion 106, until the nonslip portion disengages the note.This enables the validator 58 of the described embodiment to move thenote sufficiently rearward so that it can engage the limited slipengaging members 110, 112 and still enable the nonslip portion toreverse the direction of the note so that it can be delivered back outthrough the note inlet opening in the event that the note is determinedto be invalid. This feature enables standard commercially available,compact size note validators to be used in the embodiment shown.

While the note inlet transport 98 is shown in the described embodimenthas a generally nonslip portion and a limited slip portion, otherembodiments of the invention may not include such portions depending onthe type of validator used. An example of such an embodiment is laterdescribed in detail. In addition although the generally nonslip portionis shown as a plurality of cooperating rolls and the limited slipportion 108 is shown as a belt and roll transport, other embodiments ofthe invention may include other types of cooperating moving members thatare operative to move sheets in the desired fashion.

A gate 114 is positioned adjacent to the passage area 92. Gate 114 isoperative to selectively direct sheets and enable the passage of sheetsrelative to the note inlet transport and note outlet transport. As shownin greater detail in FIGS. 9 and 11, gate 114 includes a rotatablymounted gate member 116. Gate member 116 includes a curved lead surface118 which is disposed adjacent to the passage area. When the leadsurface 98 is disposed downward relative to the position shown in FIG. 9and the mechanism is operated to move sheets outward through the passagearea 92, the outward moving notes are engaged with the lead surface andare directed to engage the belt 102 and idler rolls 104 of the noteoutlet transport 96. In this position the notes are carried in anoutward direction by the note outlet transport to the note outletopening 28. Likewise when notes are moved by the note inlet transporttowards the passage area 92, the lead surface 118 is moved upward to anaccepting position relative to FIG. 9. In this position notes carried bythe inlet transport 98 are enabled to pass into the passage area 92.

A guide 120 extends adjacent to the gate 114 generally between the noteinlet and outlet transports. The guide includes rotatable guide rolls122 in supporting connection therewith. Guide roll 122 is generallyengaged with belt 110 and rotates therewith. The guide 120 and guiderolls 122 further aid in guiding sheets through the passage area in amanner later discussed. The passage area is also bounded on an opposedside of the guide by a separating member 124. The separating member alsolater described in detail, engages the surface of belt 110 which servesas an arcuately shaped moving member in an area overlying beltsupporting roll 126. The separating member 124 also engages on anopposed side, the web 70 in an area overlying a supporting roll 128which is supported on the note storage module 44. The web 70 serves as aarcuately shaped moving member when it moves over the roll 28 inengagement with the separating member 124.

As shown in FIG. 11, gate 114 is moved between the accepting positionwhich is the position wherein notes are accepted into the passage areafrom the note inlet transport, and the directing position in which notespassing outward through the passage are directed to the outlettransport, by a limited slip transmission mechanism generally indicated130. The limited slip transmission mechanism of the described embodimentincludes a slipping member 132. Slipping member 132 is a smallrelatively slippery belt or similar force transmission member, which canbe used to translate the gate member 116 to a desired position andthereafter a slip in response to driving motion without causing damageto itself or other connected components. In the described embodiment theslipping member 132 is connected to a pulley portion 134 which isoperatively connected to the gate member 116. The slipping member 132 isalso connected to a pulley portion 136 which is connected to a roll 138which supports belt 102 of the outlet transport. Stops schematicallyindicated 140 limit the rotation of the gate member 116.

When the note outlet transport is driven to move notes outwardly fromthe passage area 92, belt 102 is driven in the direction indicated bythe Arrow O. This causes the lead surface 118 of the gate member 116 tomove downward until the gate member is engaged with the stop 140 whichlimits its counterclockwise rotation. Because in this position belt 110is moved in the direction of Arrow N, notes moving through the passagearea 92 are engaged by the lead surface 118 in the directing positionand moved in connection therewith to engage the outward moving belt 102.The outward moving belt continues to run for as long as it is controlledto do so in response to the controller. However once the gate member 116is against the stop the slipping member 132 slips relative to at leastone of the pulley portions 134 and 136. This causes the gate member tobe held in the directing position but does not result in furthermovement nor damage to any of the components.

As can be appreciated from FIG. 11, when the note inlet transport 98moves belt 110 in a direction opposite to that indicated by Arrow N todeliver notes toward the passage area 92, belt 102 moves in a directionopposite to Arrow O. This movement causes roll 138 to rotate the pulleyportions 136 and 134 to rotate the gate member 116. The gate member 116rotates in a clockwise position in the orientation shown to theaccepting position where clockwise rotation of the gate member isstopped by engagement with one of the stops 140. Once the gate memberhas moved to the accepting position the slipping member 132 slipsrelative to at least one of the pulley portions without causing damageto any of the components. In this position notes are enabled to pass thegate member moving inward in supporting connection with belt 110 toreach the passage area.

While in this described embodiment of the invention the gate 114includes a gate member that is moved by the same drive mechanism as thebelt, in other embodiments other gate moving mechanisms includingseparate actuators may be used. Alternatively embodiments of theinvention may employ passive gate members which enable passage of thenotes inwardly by deflection or translation a movement of the gatemember in connection with the notes. Such passive gate members maythrough their configuration engage outwardly moving notes and directthem to engage appropriate mechanisms for moving the notes outward.Various arrangements of gate members and sheet moving members may beused in embodiments of the invention. It should further be understoodthat while single belts have been described herein as moving sheets inthe inlet and outlet transport, preferred embodiments of the inventionmay include a plurality of parallel moving belts, rolls or other notemoving mechanisms which are operative to move the notes in the describeddirections.

FIG. 12 shows in greater detail the operation of the separating member124 which bounds a first side of the passage area where notes move toand from the note storage module 44. Notes moving through the passagearea generally move in a note plane schematically indicated 142 in FIG.12. The note plane extends generally along an inner surface 144 of theseparating member 124. The inner surface 144 of the exemplary embodimentincludes a plurality of projections as shown. The projections serve tominimize surface tension so that notes will move more easily over theinner surface 144.

The note storage module 44 includes an inner wall 146. The opening 94extends through the inner wall. The opening is bounded on eachtransverse side by an ear portion 148. Each ear portion 148 includes agenerally vertically extending slot 150. A cutout portion 152 extendsthrough the ear portion to the slot. The separating member 124 includesa pair of outward extending projections 154 which are sized to bemovable in the slot 150. The projections 154 also enable the separatingmember 124 to be rotatably movable relative to the note storage module44. The separating member also includes an eye 156. Eye 156 is engagedby a biasing member 158. The biasing member operates to bias theseparating member 124 generally in a downward direction as shown.

When the note storage module 44 is installed in the housing of themachine, the separating member 124 is moved to a position in which afirst end of the separating member engages belts 110 overlying roll 126.Also in the operative position, the opposed end of separating member 124engages the web 70 overlying roll 128. In this way the separating member124 engages at its opposed ends arcuately shaped moving members whichmove sheets in supporting connection therewith. The separating member ofthe exemplary embodiment is configured to ride on the moving members andto engage sheets which are supported thereon. The engagement of theseparating member with the sheets on the moving members serves toseparate the sheets and direct them generally along the note plane 142through the note passage. The separating member 124 minimizes the risksthat notes will be carried by the supporting belt or web underneath theseparating member where they may jam or otherwise disrupt the operationof the mechanism. The floating character of the separating memberfacilitates its ability to properly position itself both vertically androtationally in the mechanism when the note storage module is in itsoperative position. Thus the separating member is enabled to correct forminor misalignments and still perform its function by engaging thearcuately shaped moving members on either side. In addition theconfiguration of the slot 150 and cutout area 152 facilitate the readyreplacement of the separating member. This is accomplished because theprojections 154 may be moved through the cutout area. Also the biasingmember 158 may be readily disconnected from the eye 156. Thus theremoval of an existing separating member and installation of a new oneis readily accomplished.

It should be understood that while in the described embodiment theprojections are associated with the separating member and the slots areassociated with the supporting housing structure, other embodiments mayhave these features reversed such that the projections are associatedwith the supporting housing and the slots associated with the separatingmember. Also in other embodiments intermediate or additional structuresmay be used.

As best shown in FIG. 10 the note storage module of the exemplaryembodiment further includes a separating member 160. Separating member160 engages an opposed side of the web from that engaged by separatingmember 124. Separating member 160 minimizes the risk that notessupported by the web 70 on the storage reel will remain with the webwhen the web moves in a sheet dispensing direction. The deflector 160aids in separating sheets from the web and directs them toward thepassage area when the storage reel rotates in the direction indicated inFIG. 10.

The separating member includes an edge portion 162. The edge portion 162engages the web at a location indicated 164. A deflector surface 166extends from location 164 toward the passage. The deflector surface ispositioned to extend generally parallel to the web 70 in the areabetween the location where the web joins the storage reel and thepassage area.

A movable member 168 engages the web 70 in generally overlying relationof the roll 128. The movable member 168 engages inward moving notes sothat they can be guided by the deflector surface into a nip 170generally in the area where the web joins the stored web material on thestorage reel 66. Likewise the movable member 168 serves to engage sheetsthat are separated from the web by the separating member 160 and to movethe sheets outward through the passage area.

The separating member 160 is rotatable relative to the housing about anaxis generally indicating 172. The separating member 160 is biased torotate in a clockwise direction as shown about the axis 172 by a biasingmember 174. The reel 66 rotates relative to the housing and note storagemodule about an axis of rotation indicated 176. In the described form ofthe invention the axis 172 about which the separating member rotates, isangularly disposed relative to the axis 176 about which the storage reelrotates from the nip at a substantial angle of generally about at least90 degrees. This configuration enables providing relatively controlledangular movement of the edge portion at the location as the amount ofweb material stored on the storage reel changes during operation of themachine. This relatively limited movement assures more reliableseparation and guidance of notes from the onto supporting connectionwith the storage reel. The configuration further minimizes the wearingof the web material by maintaining desirable relative positions of theedge portion 162 and to the web.

As shown in FIG. 10 the deflector surface 166 is generally located suchthat it extends on opposed sides of the movable member 168. In certainpreferred embodiments of the invention the movable member 168 mayinclude a plurality of transversely disposed movable members across theweb. The deflector surface may be configured to extend in theintermediate spaces between the movable members. In addition the guidesurface 120 also extends into the areas intermediate of the deflectorsurfaces. The positioning of the deflector surfaces transverselyintermediate of the movable member 168 as well as the guide surfaces 120provides a relatively movable interfitting relation of surfaces whichfacilitates guiding sheets through the passage area. It should also benoted that the use of the separating members 172 and 124 which engageopposed sides of the web generally help to avoid uneven wearing of theweb and the buildup of stresses unevenly along the surfaces thereof.This along with the configuration and orientation of the separatingmembers helps to prolong the life of the web.

As later discussed in detail the note storage module 44 of the describedembodiment includes a note receiving and dispensing mechanism generallyreferred to as 77 in FIG. 4. This note receiving and dispensingmechanism includes the storage and take-up reels 66 and 68 respectively.The web 70 which extends between the reels, the roll 128 and movablemember 168 which engage the web in the passage area, and the separatingmember 160, serve to assure that notes are separated from the web anddirected to and from the passage area. In the operation of thisdescribed embodiment, the reel drive mechanism 72 operates to move thereels so that notes can be delivered to and dispensed from the passagearea. It should be noted that in alternative embodiments a number ofdifferent types of note handling mechanisms may be positioned adjacentto the passage area to accomplish the dispense of notes to or thereceipt of notes from customers.

The transport mechanisms described herein while useful are exemplary ofbut one of many types of mechanisms that may be used. The note storagemodule 44 of the described embodiment is useful because the moduleconstruction may be used with many types of such transport mechanismsincluding very low cost mechanisms that are suited for installations inmachines that perform other types of primary functions. This includesthe ability to retrofit cash dispensing capability to such machines byproviding suitable mechanisms to connect the passage area and one ormore outlets which may be accessed by a customer. In addition the notestorage module 44 may be readily removed by authorized personnel from aninterior area of the machine. Thus for example in a motor fueldispensing application, a system operator may readily remove the module44 from the fuel dispensing pumps during off hours and store such itemsin a secure location. The removal and reinstallation of such items canbe accomplished quickly to minimize the actions required to be taken bypersonnel in the facility.

The operation of the note receiving and dispensing mechanism within thenote storage module 44 is controlled through operation of the reel drivemechanism 72. The reel drive mechanism is operative to controlselectively the rotation of the note storage reel 66 and the take-upreel 68. By controlling the rotation of the reels notes may be broughtinto supporting connection with the web 70 and stored on the notestorage reel. Likewise by controlling the rotation of the reels notesstored on the storage reel may be delivered to the passage area.

The reel drive mechanism 72 of the exemplary embodiment includes a motoror other drive indicated 178. The operation of the drive and itsdirection of rotation is controllable in response to signals from thecontroller 52 when the note storage module 44 is installed in themachine. The drive 178 is operative as shown in FIG. 6 to rotate a firstdrive member 180 about an axis of rotation 179. The first drive member180 in the described embodiment is a gear. However in other embodimentsrollers, belts or other force transmission members may be used.

The first drive member is operative to rotate a second drive member 182.In the described embodiment the second drive member is rotatablyconnected to the transmission memeber 184, and the transmission meemberis rotatable about the axis of rotation 179 of the first drive member180. The second drive member rotates about an axis of rotation 185 whichis movable with the transmission member. Of course in other embodimentsother drive arrangements may be used.

As schematically indicated in FIG. 7 a first drag member 186 is inoperative connection with the second drive member 182. First drag member186 is operative to apply a force resisting movement of the second drivemember thereon. The first drag member preferably applies a resistance tomovement in either rotational direction of the second drive member. Thefirst drag member may include a thrust water, friction disk, bushing orother suitable member for providing a limited and controlled degree ofresistance to movement of the second drive member. The first drag member186 is operative so that when the first drive member 180 rotates in aclockwise direction as indicated in FIG. 7, the resistance force appliedby the first drag member 186 will also tend to cause the transmissionmember 184 to rotate with the second drive member in a clockwiseposition. However when the clockwise rotation of the transmission memberis stopped such as due to engagement of the second drive member with afurther drive surface, the second drive member will rotate in acounterclockwise direction responsive to rotation of the first drivemember. Likewise the counterclockwise rotation of the first drive memberwill move the transmission member and the second drive membercounterclockwise until the second drive member engages a drive surface,in which case the second drive member will rotate clockwise. It shouldbe kept in mind that these structures are exemplary and thatintermediate drive members and other mechanisms may be included whilestill achieving the similar results.

As shown in FIG. 7 the reel drive mechanism 72 further includes atransmission drag member 188. The transmission drag member 188 isoperative to apply a limited resistance to rotation of the transmissionmember 184. This limited resistance to rotation is operative to providea limited and controlled resistance to movement of the transmissionmember 184. It is also operative to generally hold the transmissionmember 184 in its then current position until it is deliberately movedresponsive to rotation of the first drive member 180. The transmissiondrag member may include a thrust washer, friction disk, bushing or othersuitable device for applying resistance to movement of the transmissionmember.

As shown in FIG. 6 rotation of the first drive member 180 in acounterclockwise direction is operative to move the transmission memberand the second drive member 182 counterclockwise to a position where thesecond drive member 182 engages a drive surface 190 of the take-up reel.Drive surface 190 of the take-up reel is preferably a surface includinggear teeth adapted for meshing engagement with gear teeth on the seconddrive member 182. However it should be understood that in otherembodiments other drive surfaces suitable for receiving powertransmitted by the reel drive mechanism may be used. As shown in FIG. 6the second drive member operates to rotate the take-up reel 168 in acounterclockwise direction. This causes the web 70 to move in a sheetdispensing direction as indicated by the arrows shown superimposed onweb 70. As the reel drive mechanism operates to move the take-up reelthe sheet storage reel 66 moves in a counterclockwise direction as shownso as to unwind the web 70 therefrom and to deliver notes in supportingconnection therewith to the passage area.

FIG. 8 shows the operation of the reel drive mechanism 72 when the web70 is moved in a sheet receiving direction. The sheet receivingdirection is the direction that the web moves when notes in supportingconnection therewith are wound into the note storage area supported onstorage reel 66. Rotation of the first drive member 180 in the clockwisedirection shown in FIG. 8 is operative to rotate the second drive member182 in the clockwise direction relative to the first drive member untilthe second drive member engages a drive surface 192 on storage reel 66.When the second drive member 182 engages the drive surface 192 thesecond drive member rotates in a counterclockwise direction whichrotates reel 66 in a clockwise direction. The clockwise rotation of reel66 causes the web 70 and notes supported thereon to be wound into theweb for storage on the storage reel. As the storage reel pulls the webthereon the web 70 unwinds from the take-up reel 68.

The operation of the drag mechanisms on the transmission member as wellas on the second drive member help to assure that the first drive memberremains in positive engagement with the desired drive surface of thereels during movement thereof. Also referring to FIG. 4 it should benoted that the drive surface 192 of the storage reel 66 preferablyincludes mating gear teeth to engage the second drive member 182. Thesemating gear teeth may also make up the interengaging projection andrecesses 78 which enable the locking member 76 to hold the storage reelin position when the note storage module 44 is removed from the housing.

To facilitate the controlled rotational movement of the storage reel 66and the take-up reel 68, a controlled drag applying mechanism isincluded in the note storage module 44. An exemplary form of this dragapplying mechanism is schematically shown in FIG. 13. The storage reel66 has thereon an annular brake surface 194. A directional drag applyingmember 196 extends about the annular brake surface through an anglegreater than 180 degrees as shown. The directional drag applying member196 includes a first end 198 and a second end 200 which are generallyfixed relative to the housing through the note storage module.

The directional drag applying member 196 includes a band portion 202.The band portion 202 extends generally in engagement with the annularbrake surface 194 of the storage reel. The directional drag applyingmember 196 further includes an extendable portion schematicallyindicated 204. Extendable portion 204 includes a resilient biasingportion that is extendable in the direction of Arrow E as shown in FIG.13.

During operation of the reel drive mechanism 72, the storage reel 66 isrotated in a clockwise direction when it is desired to move the web 70in a sheet receiving direction such that the web and notes supportedthereon are wound onto the storage reel. When the storage reel 66 ismoved in a clockwise direction the extendable portion 204 tends toexpand in the direction of Arrow E responsive to the force applied tothe band portion 202 by the relative movement of the annular brakesurface 194. This enables the storage reel 66 to rotate in a clockwisedirection relatively easily responsive to the force applied by theextendable portion 204. However when the storage reel 66 is rotatedresponsive to movement of the web 70 in a counterclockwise directionwhich corresponds to the web moving in a sheet dispensing direction, theresistance to movement of the storage reel is relatively higher. This isbecause the tension in the band portion 202 is higher due to a lack ofan extendable portion between the band portion and the first end 198. Asa result the tension in the band portion is maintained relatively higheras the storage reel is moved in the counterclockwise direction. Thisprovides a relatively higher drag force on the storage reel whichminimizes the risk of overrunning.

A similar but oppositely disposed structure is used for applying dragforce to take-up reel 68 in the exemplary embodiment. The take-up reel,which as previously discussed in this embodiment is identical to thestorage reel, includes an annular brake surface 206 thereon. Adirectional drag applying member 208 includes a band portion 210 thatengages the annular brake surface 206 about an angle of generally morethan 180 degrees. The directional drag applying member is generallyfixed relative to the housing at a first end 212 and a second end 214.The directional drag applying member 208 includes an extendable portion216 adjacent the second end 214. Extendable portion 216 is expandable inan extendable direction generally indicated by Arrow X.

In operation of the reel drive mechanism 72 when the take-up reel 68 isrotated in a counterclockwise direction which moves the web 70 in asheet dispensing direction, the extendable portion 216 of the dragapplying member 208 expands to apply relatively lower resistance tomovement of the take-up reel 68. However when the take-up reel 68 ismoved in a clockwise direction responsive to the web moving in a sheetreceiving direction, a relatively higher drag force is applied to thetake-up reel.

As a result of the directional drag applying mechanism of the describedembodiment, the drag force on the reel being driven by the second drivemember 182 is relatively lower. This reduces the amount of force thatthe reel drive mechanism must produce to move the take-up and storagereels. This is useful compared to systems where drag applying membersact equally on storage reels regardless of the direction in which theyare moved.

Referring again to FIG. 5, web 70 extends between the storage reel andthe take-up reel along a web path. The web path extends adjacent to thepassage area in which the web is supported by roll 128. The web pathfurther includes a pair of guiding rolls 218, 220 which guide the web 70along the web path to the take-up reel 68. A sensor 222 is disposedadjacent to the web path between the guide rolls. Sensor 222 is inoperative connection with the controller and is operable to sensemachine readable indicia in supporting connection with the web.

FIG. 16 shows a section of web 70 of an exemplary embodiment of theinvention. The web includes a transversely central sheet engaging areagenerally indicated 224. The sheet engaging area 224 operatively engagessheets therewith in the passage area and holds sheets in supportingconnection with the storage roll 66.

Transversely outward of the sheet engaging area 224 are a pair ofperipheral areas 226 and 228. The peripheral areas extend transverselyon either side of the web adjacent the transverse edges thereof. Theperipheral areas 226 and 228 include machine readable indicia 230thereon. In the described form of the invention the machine readableindicia is indicia on the web that serves to block the transmission ofradiation therethrough. This blocking of radiation is sensed by thesensor 222. Of course in other embodiments other types of indicia whichcan be sensed or read by a sensing device may be used.

As previously discussed, the opposed ends of the web are connected tothe take-up reel and the storage reel respectively. In the describedembodiment the machine readable indicia are configured so as tocorrespond to a location on the web relative to an end. In the describedembodiment the machine readable indicia are symmetrical on the web andare configured such that the spacing between adjacent indicia decreaseswith proximity to each end. This construction in the describedembodiment enables the installation of the web in any of four possibleorientations. Thus a person replacing the web need not be concerned thatit could be installed improperly. This is because of the symmetry of themachine readable indicia in the peripheral areas as well as thedecreasing spacing between the machine readable indicia with proximityto the end.

In operation of the machine, the sensor 222 is operative to cause thecontroller to include data in the data store representative of thelocation for the machine readable indicia which is in proximity to thesensor 222. In the described embodiment this data may include datacorresponding to a count of a number of machine readable indicia whichhave moved past the sensor from a reference position located adjacent toa first end of the web at a first end area adjacent to the take-up reel.By holding this data which corresponds to a count, the controller may beoperative to determine the relative position of the web with respect tothe ends thereof. In addition or in the alternative, the controller mayalso hold data representative of a count of the sheets which arecurrently stored in supporting connection with the storage reel. Thisnumber of sheets may be correlated with the location indicia such thatthe controller coordinates the location information provided by theindicia with data corresponding to the number of notes in storage.

Alternatively, the decrease in spacing of the indicia with proximity tothe ends of the web enables the controller in the described embodimentto detect a condition which suggests that the web is approaching thefirst end or the second end. This enables the controller to provide asignal through the communications device or through another outputdevice to indicate that the machine is either reaching a condition whereit can hold no further notes or is approaching a condition where it isrunning out of notes. For example the web must move at least a distancesomewhat greater than the length of a note in the dispense of one sheet.If in moving the web this distance during the dispensing of a sheet thesensor 222 senses passage of more than a set number of indicia on theweb, the controller may determine that the web is approaching the secondend which means that few notes are left on the storage reel. By thenumber of machine readable indicia which pass the sensor in the dispenseof one note or sheet the controller knows generally accurately how closethe web now is to reaching the end area when no further notes are storedon the storage reel.

Likewise when operating to receive a note, the reel drive mechanismmoves the web a length that is generally slightly greater than thelength of one note. If in the process of accepting a note the sensor 222senses more than a set number of machine readable indicia passing thesensor, the controller may determine that the web is approaching thefirst end at which point no further web material is stored on thetake-up reel. By the number of machine readable indicia passing thesensor with the receipt of note, the controller is operative todetermine relatively accurately the position of the web. This enablesthe controller and its operatively connected memory to determine andindicate quantity condition data which is indicative of a need toreplenish the machine, that the machine is full and/or some notes willneed to be removed from the machine within a given time period. Themachine is still capable of accomplishing this even if the portion ofthe memory which may be holding information corresponding to an exactlocation of the web should be lost or corrupted.

An exemplary of how one exemplary embodiment of the invention mayoperate to dispense sheets and to maintain a count of the number ofsheets remaining is discussed in connection with FIG. 17. In thedescribed embodiment sheets are dispensed responsive to a user inputtingan input through one or more of the input devices. This may include forexample a customer passing a card through the card reader which includesaccount data corresponding to the customer. If the card is a debit cardthe customer may also input a personal identification number (PIN)through the keys of the keypad. The customer may thereafter indicatethat they wish to withdraw notes and the value of the notes to bewithdrawn through inputs through the function keys and/or the keypadkeys. In response to these inputs the controller 52 is operative in thedescribed embodiment to operate the communications device 48 todetermine through communication with another computer system whether thecustomer is authorized to withdraw the funds requested. Assuming thatthe customer is authorized to withdraw the funds the communicationdevice 48 receives back from a host computer or other connected system amessage indicating that the requested withdrawal by the customer ispermissible. The controller then operates the reel drive mechanism torotate the take-up reel 68 in the direction indicated. This causes thestorage reel to rotate in the direction shown. Rotation of the storagereel causes notes to be separated from the web 70 and moved into thenote passage area 92.

As shown in FIG. 17 in the described embodiment a passage sensor 232 ispositioned adjacent to the passage area 92. Passage sensor 232 isoperatively connected to the controller 52 and is operative to sensesheets therein. The passage sensor 232 is operative to sense the leadingedge of the note entering the passage area. In response to the passagesensor the controller 52 is operative to operate the transport drivewhich operates the outlet transport 96. The outlet transport runs sothat notes in connection therewith move toward the note outlet opening28. This motion of the outlet transport also causes the gate 114 to moveto the directing position to engage notes with the outlet transport. Inthe described configuration of the invention the outlet transport andthe limited slip portion 108 of the inlet transport 98 move incooperating relation so as to move notes from the passage area intoengagement with the outlet transport.

The reel drive mechanism moves the web 70 in the note dispensingdirection until the end of the sheet is sensed passing the passagesensor 232. The sheet passing the passage sensor is carried by theoutlet transport 96 to the outlet opening 28 where it is delivered tothe customer. This is represented by a note 234. The note at the outletopening may be held in a tray or by other suitable holding devices untiltaken by the customer. Alternatively a suitable sensor adjacent to theoutlet which is connected to the controller may operate to hold thesheet in connection with the outlet transport in a stopped relationuntil the customer physically pulls it from the opening. Variousapproaches to delivering the sheets may be used depending on the natureand character of the transaction machine.

Additional sheets beyond one may be delivered. The controller 52operates the reel drive mechanism to dispense additional sheets throughthe passage area and to deliver them through the outlet transport to thecustomer. When the desired number of sheets has been dispensed whichcorresponds to the input from the user, the controller operates to stopboth the reel drive mechanism and the outlet transport.

In the course of dispensing sheets from the storage reel the passagesensor senses each sheet. The passage sensor may be a radiation typesensor that is capable of sensing both the leading and trailing edges ofthe sheet. Of course in other embodiments of the invention other typesof passage sensors may be used. As the web 70 moves to deliver one ormore sheets to the passage area the web sensor 222 provides signals tothe controller 52. In response to the sensing of the machine readableindicia by the sensor 222 the controller generates signals. Thesesignals include data representative of sheet quantities. This mayinclude for example in some embodiments a simple count which correspondsto a length of web remaining on the storage reel. Because the notes aregenerally spaced at a uniform spacing this count data is representativeof a quantity of sheets remaining. This data can be stored in the memory56 as a quantity condition which corresponds to the number of sheetsremaining.

Alternatively in embodiments of the invention the sensor 222 may beoperative to sense the number of indicia which pass the sensor as asheet is moved through the passage area as sensed by the sensor 232. Thenumber of indicia which pass the sensor 222 as a single note isdispensed can be correlated with the distance of the location adjacentthe sensor to the end of the web. The controller is operative responsiveto the sensor sensing more than a determined number of such indiciaduring the dispense of a single note may be programmed to store andprovide an indication of quantity condition which indicates that themachine is in need of note replenishment.

In addition to using the machine readable indicia on the web to providedata representative of the quantity of notes remaining, the controller52 may also be operative to cause actual count data or datarepresentative of a value to be stored in memory 56. In this way thecontroller may be operative to maintain information on how many notesremain stored in the machine at any time. This may enable a user toquery the controller to determine the number of remaining notes.

In the event that the described form of the controller should experiencea failure of the volatile memory data concerning the number of notesremaining, the controller may operate the machine to execute a recoveryoperation to determine how many notes are remaining. The executablesteps necessary to perform this recovery operation may be stored innonvolatile memory so that the machine can almost always execute therecovery operation no matter what conditions are experienced. In therecovery operation the controller responds to a loss of available memorydata by operating the reel drive mechanism to wind the web 70 onto thestorage reel 66. The reel drive mechanism continues to wind the web ontothe storage reel until a first end area adjacent the end of the webattached to the take-up reel is sensed. This may be done a number ofways, for example by the sensor 222 sensing a set number of machinereadable indicia on the web within a given time period which thecontroller determines through use of the clock device 54.

Once the controller has determined that the web has been wound onto thestorage reel to generally the full extent, the controller operates thereel drive mechanism to begin moving the web from the storage reel tothe take-up reel. As the reel drive mechanism is operated by thecontroller to do this the controller generates signals responsive toindicia sensed by the web sensor 222. These signals are indicative ofhow far the web has moved at any given time. The process of winding theweb onto the take-up reel is stopped when the passage sensor 232 sensesthe first note entering the first passage 92. At this point thecontroller 52 is operative to generate a further signal whichcorresponds to the location on the web where first sheet is sensed.Because the sheets are generally stored in relatively uniformlyrelation, the further signal generated is indicative of a number ofsheets that remain in supporting connection with the web on the storagereel. This enables the controller to closely determine how many sheetsremain in storage. Further operation of the machine dispensing andreceiving sheets may thereafter be continued using the datacorresponding to the sheet quantity determined through the recoveryoperation. Of course this is but one example of operation of the machineused in connection with a described embodiment. In other embodimentsother approaches to calculating and determining the number of sheets instorage at any given time may be used.

The operation of the machine to receive a note is now explained withreferences to FIGS. 18-20. To insert notes into the machine may requireany appropriate input by an authorized user through the input devices.This may include special cards or codes which are used by servicingpersonnel to replenish notes in the machine. Alternatively as wasdiscussed in connection with FIG. 1, the housing of the machine mayinclude a physical security device which can be accessed by authorizedpersonnel and which only enables such personnel to input notes into theinlet opening. Alternatively the inlet opening may be positionedrelative to the housing in such a way that it is generally onlyaccessible by authorized personnel. Finally in some embodiments of theinvention users may both insert cash into the inlet opening as well asreceive cash through the outlet opening. The particular activities thata user may go through in order to enable the machine to operate toaccept notes through the note inlet opening will depend on theparticular machine and the programming by the operator of the controller52.

When notes are to be accepted a note is inserted through the inletopening 30 to the inlet transport 98. In the inlet transport 98 the notefirst extends in the nonslip portion 106 of the inlet transport whichextends adjacent to the validator 58. The validator includes sensorstherein for sensing if the inserted note is a note that is valid foracceptance by the machine. For example in this embodiment the validatormay be configured to accept only US twenty dollar bills and to rejectall other inserted sheets as invalid for this machine. The controller 52operates in connection with the validator 58, and a sheet schematicallyrepresented 236 is moved therein by the nonslip portion 106. Asrepresented in FIG. 18 the sheet 236 may be extended from the nonslipportion into the limited slip portion 108 which is driven by thetransport drive to move in the direction indicated. The limited slipportion engages the sheet but allows it to be moved back and forth bythe portion 106. In the event that the note is determined to be invalidthe nonslip portion may disengage the note from the limited slip portion108 and move it back outwards through the opening 30. If the note isdetermined to be valid however the portion 106 releases the note 236into the limited slip portion 108 which moves the note in connectiontherewith towards the passage area 92.

Because in the described embodiment the limited slip portion 108 and theoutlet transport 96 are operated by a common drive mechanism, movementof the limited slip portion in the direction indicated also causes theoutlet transport to move in a manner which causes the gate 114 to berotated to the note accepting position. As a result the note 236 ismoved to the passage area 92 as shown in FIG. 19. When the note reachesthe passage area it is sensed by the passage sensor 232.

The controller is operative responsive to the note being sensed by thepassage sensor to operate the reel drive mechanism. The controller isoperative to cause the web 70 to move in the note accepting direction asshown in FIG. 20. The reel drive mechanism moves the web so that thenote comes into supporting connection therewith and is wound onto thenote storage reel 66. The controller continues to operate the reel drivemechanism until the training edge of the note is sensed as passing thepassage sensor 232. Thereafter the controller may operate the reel drivemechanism to move the note a sufficient distance so as to providespacing from the next note which is inserted. Once the controller hasmoved the inserted note a sufficient distance onto the note storage reelthe reel drive mechanism stops until instructed to move further by thecontroller.

While in this first described embodiment the nonslip drive portionadjacent the validator sensors 58 is operative to immediately push outnotes that are sensed as not valid, alternative forms of the inventionmay be programmed to operate differently. For example a controller 52may be programmed to move a note in the inlet transport past thevalidator. If the validator senses as invalid note, the note may bestopped at the passage area once the trailing edge of the note haspassed the gate 114. The controller may thereafter operate to reversethe direction of the transports 96 and 98 which causes the gate todirect the note outward through the outlet opening. The controller 52may operate both the inlet and outlet transport as well as the rollstorage mechanism to accomplish this. This may include for examplecausing the invalid note to be stored partially or temporarily insupporting connection with the web 70 before the direction of the noteis reversed to deliver the note outward. These are examples and otherembodiments of the invention may operate differently to reject notes.

Alternative forms of the invention may be produced to accommodate othertypes of validating mechanisms. FIG. 21 shows an alternative form of anote handling mechanism generally indicated 238. Mechanism 238 isgenerally similar to that previously described except as otherwiseindicated. It includes a note receiving and dispensing mechanism 240similar to mechanism 77 previously discussed. Mechanism 238 furtherincludes a combined inlet and outlet transport 242. Inlet and outlettransport 242 is selectively operative to both move sheets into and outfrom a passage area 244. Note sensors 246 are positioned adjacent to thetransport 242. Note sensors 246 may be operative to sense that the noteis valid, such as for example whether a note which is passing throughthe transport 242 is a valid US twenty dollar bill. An example of asuitable note sensing device for this purpose is described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/749,260 which is owned by the Assignee ofthe present invention and incorporated by reference as if fullyrewritten herein.

if the note is sensed as valid it may be moved by a transport 242 past agate 248 and into a storage location on the storage reel 250. Likewisewhen the note is to be dispensed from the storage reel, a web 254 whichholds the notes in supporting connection with the storage reel may movethe note into the passage area 244. The gate 248 is moved by an actuator(not shown) to direct the note to engage the transport 242. Thetransport 242 then operates in a direction to carry the note from thepassage area to a note outlet adjacent the end of the transport 242.

If the controller of the mechanism 238 is operating to sense notes beinginput into the machine and the sensors 246 operate to sense an invalidnote, the transport 242 may be reversed immediately to reject the note.Alternatively if it is not desired to reject the note through theexterior of the machine, the note may be moved by the transport 242 intothe passage area 244. The note may also be moved partially onto the web254 as is necessary in the operation of the machine. Thereafter, afterthe note has been moved to the storage area, the position of the gate248 may be changed and the controller may operate a reject transport256. The reject transport is operated to move the note inward to astorage area 258 inside the housing of the machine. As a result suspectnotes are held within the housing of the machine until they can beremoved by authorized personnel.

An advantage of the described embodiment of the invention shown inconnection with mechanism 238 is that a single transport can be used asboth the inlet and the outlet transport for notes. This may haveadvantages in some embodiments in which the validity of notes may bedetermined within a single note path which moves selectively in opposeddirections.

An alternative note handling mechanism generally indicated 260 is shownin FIG. 22. The note handling mechanism 260 is similar to the first notehandling mechanism described except where otherwise indicated. Notehandling mechanism 260 includes an outlet transport 262 that extendsbetween a passage area 264 and a note outlet opening 266. Mechanism 260further includes a note inlet opening 268. The note inlet openingextends in a housing wall of the machine which is generally opposed of ahousing wall in which the outlet opening extends. Inlet opening 268 isoperatively connected to a note validator 270 which may be of a typepreviously described. The note validator 270 is connected to a firstlimited slip transport section 272 and a second transport section 274.Transport sections 272 and 274 are operative to carry notes that havepassed the validator 270 to the passage area 264.

The operation of the mechanism 260 is generally similar to the firstdescribed embodiment of the invention. However an advantage of theconstruction shown in FIG. 22 is that an operator of the machine isenabled to load currency into the machine from the rear. Certainpreferred forms of the invention are sufficiently small such that theymay be supported on a counter top or on a standard building wall. Thisenables the machine operator to feed notes into the machine from behindthe counter or from within an interior room within a building. This mayfacilitate loading of notes in the machine as the machine operator doesnot have personnel blocking access to the machine as notes are beingloaded, which may discourage customers from using the machine. Inaddition this configuration may eliminate the need for covers to otherdevices over the note inlet opening to prevent confused customers fromattempting to insert things into the inlet opening. Further advantagesof this alternative structure shown in FIG. 22 will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

Yet another embodiment of a note handling mechanism generally designated276 is shown in FIG. 23. This alternative note handling mechanism 276 isoperative in the described embodiment of work in connection with thenote receiving and dispensing mechanism 77 of the first embodimentincluding the note storage module 44 which has been previouslydescribed. The alternative note handling mechanism 276 is operative toavoid the need for a user to insert notes generally one at a time forstorage within the machine.

The note handling mechanism includes an outlet transport 278 whichextends between a passage area 280 and a note outlet opening 282. A gate284 is positioned adjacent to the passage area 280 and operates in themanner previously described. An inlet transport 286 includes a firstportion 288 which extends adjacent to a validator 290. A secondtransport portion 292 extends between the validator and the passage area280.

The note separating mechanism generally indicated 294 is positionedgenerally adjacent to the validator. The note separating mechanism isoperative to separate notes individually from a stack 296 and deliverthe individual notes to the validator 290. A note thickness sensor 298is positioned adjacent to the unstack mechanism. The note thicknesssensor 298 operates to sense if more than one note has been removed fromthe stack. In the event that more than one note is sensed as passingfrom the stack toward the validator, the controller is operative tocause the note separating mechanism 294 to reverse the movement of thenote. The note is moved back into the stack and another attempt madeuntil a single note is separated as sensed by the thickness sensors anddelivered to the validator.

An exemplary separating mechanism is shown schematically in FIG. 24. Thearrangement includes a central feed roll 300 which is flanked by twosupplementary belt supporting feed rolls 302. The feed rolls 300 and 302are rotated by a drive schematically indicated 304. The device isselectively operated responsive to signals from a controller.

A contact stripper roll 306 and a pair of non-contact stripper rolls 308are positioned in generally opposed abutting arrangement with feed rolls300 and 302. Rolls 306 and 308 are connected on a common shaft to aone-way clutch 310. The one-way clutch is operative to resist rotationof rolls 306 and 308 in a direction which would facilitate the movementof sheets from the stack towards the validator. However the clutch 310readily enables the rolls 306 and 308 to rotate in direction generallymoving sheets away from the validator towards the stack. When the drive304 moves rolls 300 and 302 to move a sheet at the bottom of the stack296 towards the validator, both rolls 306 and 308 resist motion of thesheet. This generally prevents all but the first-sheet at the bottom ofthe stack from moving past the sensors 298 to the drive portion 288adjacent the validator 290. If however multiple sheets are sensed by thesensors 298 as being passed out of the stack, the controller operates toreverse the direction of drive 304. In this situation rolls 306, 308,300 and 302 cooperate to readily help move the sheets back into thestack.

As shown in FIG. 23 in the described form of the invention the stack 296may be inserted in an unstack area 312 within the housing of themachine. Access to the unstack area may be controlled by a doorschematically indicated 314. In the described form of the mechanismshown in FIG. 23, the machine operator is enabled to place a stack ofnotes in the unstack area 312 and then close and secure the door 314.The machine may thereafter operate to separate the notes in the stack tovalidate them as proper and to store the notes in the storage reel of aconnected note storage module. If in the course of sensing the sheetsinvalid sheets are found, the invalid sheets may be diverted throughoperation of the gate 284 into the transport 278 which can deposit thesheets in the area adjacent to the note outlet opening 282. Alternativeforms of the invention may provide other storage areas for holdinginvalid sheets. Further alternative forms of the invention may providefor interrupting the note validating and stacking operation of themachine for a user who wishes to operate the machine for dispensingpurposes. Of course other alternative arrangements and configurationsutilizing the principles of the invention may be devised by thoseskilled in the art.

Alternative forms of user interfaces may be provided for use inconnection with embodiments of the invention. Such an alternativeembodiment is shown in FIGS. 24-30. The alternative embodiment includesa display 316 which in various embodiments may be an LCD, CRT or othertype of visual or nonvisual output device. The interface furtherincludes an input device in the form of a dip card reader for readingmagnetic stripe cards generally indicated 318. The interface furtherincludes a cancel button indicated 320. In this simplified userinterface the controller operates to display messages which can beobserved by the user on the display 316. These various displays whichinclude programmed text and/or graphics are referred to as screensherein. When the machine is waiting for a customer to begin operatingthe machine an initial screen indicated 320 and shown in FIG. 25 isoutput on the display. The initial screen 320 instructs a user to inserttheir card into the dip reader and to withdraw the card therefrom whenthe amount that they desire is displayed on the screen.

FIG. 26 shows a card schematically indicated 322 of the magnetic stripevariety being inserted into the reader 318. In response to the cardbeing inserted and held therein a first amount screen indicated 324 isdisplayed. The first amount screen which is generated responsive to thecontroller advises the customer of an amount and to withdraw their cardfrom the dip reader when the amount shown on the screen corresponds to adesired amount that they wish to receive. In the described embodimentwithin approximately five seconds after the first screen is displayed asecond amount screen indicated 326 and shown in FIG. 27 is displayed.The second amount screen shows a different amount and again instructsthe user to remove the card from the dip reader when the amount thatthey desire is shown. Assuming that the user does not withdraw the cardfrom the reader when the second amount screen 326 is shown. A short timelater (about five seconds in this exemplary embodiment) a third amountscreen is displayed. Because the described embodiment dispenses twentydollar bills each sequential display screen increases the amount bytwenty dollars. This sequence is continued until a maximum amount screenis reached or until the customer presses the cancel button 320.

Assuming that the customer removes their card from the reader 318 when asixty dollar amount is displayed, a withdrawal screen generallyindicated 328 and shown in FIG. 28 will be displayed. The withdrawalscreen 328 advises the customer of the amount that will be charged totheir account. Again assuming that the customer does not promptly hitthe cancel button 320 the controller operates to communicate through itsassociated communication device with an appropriate host computer orother system to determine whether the customer is authorized to chargethe amount requested. During this time period a wait screen 330 shown inFIG. 29 is displayed. When the machine receives authorization indicatingthat the customer is authorized to receive the amount requested, thecontroller operates the components of the machine to cause the requestedamount to be delivered to the customer through the outlet opening in thehousing. The controller also operates to have a transaction receiptprinted. After this is done a completion screen generally indicated 332and shown in FIG. 30 is displayed. The completion screen advises thecustomer to take their cash and their receipt. Of course if for somereason the transaction is not authorized, an alternative screen advisingthe customer of this is displayed to the customer. Thereafter thecontroller is operative to return to the initial screen 320.

An advantage of this exemplary user interface is that it can be usedwith machines that dispense cash in response to credit card inputs andrequires no further input devices other than a cancel button and a dipreader. Such components are very common on many types of transactionmachines whose primary function is not the dispensing of cash. Thisinterface facilitates incorporating the note dispensing mechanism of thepresent invention into other types of transaction machines. In additionother embodiments may eliminate the cancel button by enabling thecustomer to cancel the transaction by removing the card at a time when aparticular screen is displayed. Many alternative embodiments employingthese principles may be devised.

A further novel aspect of the described embodiment of the invention isthe ability of the machine to display selected promotional messages tothe customer on a timely basis. Such a promotional message is shown inscreen 330 and indicates a sale on a beverage item. In an exemplaryembodiment of the invention this promotional message is generated inresponse to the data stored on the plug in memory 38 which is connectedto the connector 36 on the housing. The data stored in the plug inmemory which in the described form of the invention is a smart card,includes a promotional message as well as time parameters associatedwith the promotional message. Thus for example if the special offerrepresented in screen 330 is to extend only until a certain date, thecontroller and its associated clock device are operative to sense thepassage of this date and to no longer display the particular promotionalmessage once this date has passed. For example if the operator of themachine fails to remove the plug in memory and the controller determinesthat the message is no longer timely, screen 330 may include only ablank space or a blank area below the “please wait” notice on the screenwhile the machine is operating to obtain verification and to dispensethe user's cash.

Likewise other data may be stored in the plug in memory module so thatparticular promotional messages are displayed at particular times of dayor within particular time periods. The plug in memory module may alsoinclude several promotional messages which are designed to be displayedat various times or sequentially to users of the machine. Alternativelythe data stored in the plug in memory module may include public servicemessages such as promoting various charitable organizations and events.The data stored in the plug in memory may also be operative to generategraphical presentations as well as other types of video and audiopresentations that may be of interest to a user. Other data stored inthe memory module may include for example logos or other advertising forthe establishment where the automated transaction machine is operated.

Because the exemplary form of the invention enables the presentation ofpromotional messages selectively by simply plugging a smart card into anassociated connector, the promotional messages may be changed readilyfrom outside the machine and very cheaply. For example the merchandisingestablishment or entities sponsoring promotional events may providepromotional messages on smart cards to operators of the machine. Theoperators of the machines may plug the cards into the machine and duringthe selected time windows for presentations of the messages, themessages will be displayed. At times when the memory indicates that suchmessages are not to be displayed, screens including the messages are notprovided to users of the machine. Thus the providers of promotionalmessages are able to avoid their promotions being presented beyond theexpiration date or at other times when it is not appropriate.

Of course the automated transaction machine may be operative to outputsuch promotional messages at other times during its operation. This mayinclude for example periodically displaying promotional messages inplace of the initial screen. This may include for example alternating apromotional message with the initial screen 316 during relatively brieftime periods such as a period of five seconds. In this way a userwalking up to the machine will be advised in a very brief period of timehow to operate the machine. However such a user will also receive atleast one and perhaps several promotional messages before they proceedto insert their card into the reader 318. In this way the described formto the invention enables operators of the machine to conduct additionalmarketing relatively simply and reliably and at a minimum cost.

It should be understood that while in the exemplary embodiment the plugin memory element includes a smart card, other embodiments may includeother types of plug in memory devices. These may include for examplefloppy disks, PROMS, CD-ROMs or other devices. It should further beunderstood that access to such replaceable memory items may be limitedby a cover, such as for example the cover for the note inlet openingpreviously discussed. In this way access to the connector or reader forthe plug in memory is limited to persons who are authorized to changethe plug in memory. However, such persons do not need to have access tothe note storage area inside the machine to change the plug in memory.

Thus the preferred embodiment of the automated transaction machine ofthe present invention achieves the above stated objectives, eliminatesdifficulties encountered in the use of prior devices and systems, solvesproblems and attains the desirable results described herein.

In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity and understanding, however no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposesand are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the descriptions andillustrations herein are by way of examples and the invention is notlimited to the exact details shown and described.

In the following claims any feature described as a means for performinga function shall be construed as encompassing any means known to thoseskilled in the art to be capable of performing the recited function, andshall not be limited to the structures shown herein or mere equivalentsthereof.

Having described in features, discoveries and principles of theinvention, the manner in which it is constructed and operated, and theadvantages and useful results attained; the new and useful structures,devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems,equipment, operations, methods and relationships are set forth in theappended claims.

We claim:
 1. Apparatus comprising: a housing; a sheet storage reelrotatably in supporting connection with the housing; a take-up reelrotatably mounted in supporting correction with the housing; a flexibleweb extending between the storage reel and the take-up reel, the webextending adjacent a sheet passage area intermediate of the storage andtake-up reels; a reel drive mechanism operatively connected to thestorage and take-up reels, wherein the reel drive mechanism isselectively operative to move the web wherein sheets are moved insupporting connection with the web between the storage reel and thesheet passage area; and a storage reel direction drag applying member inoperative connection with at least one of the reels, wherein thedirectional reel drag applying member is operative to apply relativelyhigher resistance to movement of the one reel in a first direction thanin a second direction opposed of the first direction.
 2. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein when the web moves in a sheet dispensingdirection sheets are moved in supporting connection with the web fromthe storage reel to the passage area, and wherein the directional dragapplying member is an operative connection with the storage reel and isoperative to apply the relatively higher resistance to movement of thestorage reel when the web moves in the sheet dispensing direction. 3.The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein when the web moves in a sheetreceiving direction sheets are moved in supporting connection with theweb from the passage area to the storage reel, and wherein thedirectional drag applying member is in operative connection with thetake-up reel and is operative to apply the relatively higher resistanceto movement of the take-up reel when the web moves in the sheetreceiving direction.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 and furthercomposing a storage reel directional drag applying member in operativeconnection with the storage reel, and a take-up reel directional dragapplying member in operative connection with the take-up reel, andwherein when the web moves in a sheet dispensing direction sheets insupporting connection with the storage reel are moved in supportingconnection with the web to the passage area, and when the web is movedin a sheet receiving direction sheets in supporting connection with theweb are moved in supporting connection with the web from the passagearea to the storage reel, and wherein the storage reel directional dragapplying member is operative to apply relatively higher drag to thestorage reel as the web moves in the sheet dispensing direction, and thetake-up reel directional drag applying member is operative to applyrelatively higher drag to the take-up reel when the web moves in thesheet receiving direction.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 4 andfurther comprising a storage module, wherein the storage module isremovably mounted on the housing, and wherein the storage reel take-upreel, storage reel directional drag applying member, and take-up reeldirectional drag applying member are in supporting connection with themodule.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the directionaldrag applying member includes an extendable portion, wherein theextendable portion is extendable in an extendable direction, wherein theextendable portion extends in the extendable direction responsive to theassociated reel rotating in the second direction.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the one reel in operative connection withthe directional drag applying member has a generally annular brakesurface in operative connection therewith, and wherein the directionaldrag applying member includes a band portion extending in engagementwith the annular brake surface.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 7wherein the directional drag applying member includes a first end and asecond end, and wherein the first end and the second end are operativelyconnected to the housing, and wherein the second end is operativelyconnected to the housing through an extendable portion, wherein theextendable portion is operative to extend the effective length of theband portion when the reel operatively connected to the directional dragapplying member rotates in the second direction.
 9. The apparatusaccording to claim 7 wherein the band portion extends in engagement withthe brake surface generally at least about 180 degrees.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising a user surfaceincluding an input device in operative connection with the housing, anda controller in operative connection with the input device and the reeldrive mechanism, wherein the controller is operative responsive to aninput to the input device to operate the reel drive mechanism to movethe web such that sheets in supporting connection with the web on thestorage reel are moved to the passage area.
 11. The apparatus accordingto claim 10 and further comprising an outlet opening in the housing, andan outlet extending between the passage area and the outlet opening, andwherein the outlet transport is in operative connection with thecontroller, and the controller is further operative responsive to theinput to move at least one sheet from the passage area to the outletopening.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprisingan inlet opening in the housing, and a note validator in operativeconnection with the inlet opening, wherein the note validator isoperative to sense a valid note inserted through said inlet opening, andwherein the note validator is operatively connected to the reel drivemechanism, wherein responsive to the note validator sensing a valid noteinserted through the inlet opening the note validator is operative tocause the reel drive mechanism to move the valid note from the passagearea into supporting connection with the web.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 11 and further comprising a note inlet opening in thehousing, a note validator in operative connection with the note inletopening, wherein the note validator is operative to sense if a noteinserted through the inlet opening is a valid note, an inlet notetransport extending between the note validator and the passage area,wherein the note validator and the inlet transport are in operativeconnection with the controller, wherein the controller is operativeresponsive to the note validator sensing a valid note instead insertedthrough the inlet opening to transport the note in connection with theinlet transport from the validator to the passage area and to operatethe reel drive mechanism to move the valid note from the passage area tothe storage area.
 14. A method of operating the apparatus recited inclaim 11 comprising the steps of: (a) storing at least one note insupporting connection with the web on the storage reel; (b) receiving aninput through the input device; and (c) operating the reel drivemechanism and note outlet transport with the controller responsive tothe input, to deliver the note to the outlet opening.
 15. Apparatuscomprising: an automated transaction machine including a housing; afirst reel and a second reel rotatably mounted in supporting connectionwith the housing; a directional drag applying member in operativeconnection with at least one of the reels, the directional drag applyingmember being operative to apply relatively higher resistance to rotationof the at least one reel in a first direction than in a second directionopposed of the first direction; a flexible web extending between thefirst and second reels and adjacent a sheet passage area; a reel drivemechanism in operative connection with the first and second reels andthe web, wherein the reel drive mechanism is selectively operative tomove the web such that sheets in supporting connection with the web aremoved between the at least one of the reels and the sheet passage area.